Comparison

Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) vs Westender

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac)

Plan and manage your ferry journeys to Scotland's islands. Get real-time service updates, check timetables, and book tickets for over 50 island destinations. Your essential companion for exploring the Clyde and Hebridean islands.

Highlights
  • Real-time service updates
  • Ferry timetables and fare information
  • Ticketing and booking
  • Favorite route management
  • Island destination information
  • Push notifications for service status
Features
Read full description

Ready to explore Scotland's stunning islands? The CalMac app is your ultimate on-the-move travel companion, helping to make your journey stress-free and straightforward. From checking timetables to planning your next adventure or receiving service updates, we're with you every step of the way. Manage your entire trip from start to finish, connecting you to over 50 incredible locations across the Clyde and Hebridean islands. Key Features: - Stay informed: Get instant push notifications on service status for your routes. - Plan your trip: Access timetables, fare information and our ticketing site to effortlessly plan your island escape. - Save your favourites: Quickly access information and updates for your frequently used routes. - Find answers: Our help centre is packed with answers to all your travel questions. Discover your island escape: Scotland's islands offer something for everyone, from breathtaking landscapes to rich history and heritage. Not compatible with iPad

About

Westender

Features
Read full description

Eat and shop with Glasgow's Westender!

Screenshots

Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac)4 screens
Westender1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Westender at monthly against Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac)'s every 2 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) ships an update every 2 months, Westender monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) versus Westender: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCaledonian MacBrayne (CalMac)Westender
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews6.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB1 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperCalMac Ferries LimitedKyle Kennedy

Bugs and requests

Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac)

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes frequently
  • Login process is buggy
  • Inconsistent and contradictory information

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to view route information in both directions
  • Improved real-time service updates
  • Better integration with website and booking process

Westender

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac)

No in-app purchases

None

Westender

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) free?
Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Westender free?
Westender is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) or Westender have ads?
Neither Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) nor Westender shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) or Westender?
Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) ships an update every 2 months, and Westender monthly. Most recently, Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) was updated on October 24, 2026 and Westender on October 6, 2026.

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